Fills in North Carolina????

Hello All, I just got off the phone with a doctors office in Wilmington, NC. I was told a few weeks ago, by one of his staff members, that he would do lapband fills for $120.00 (new patient) and $80.00 thereafter. I am planning to have my lapband surgery in September in Mexico. Well...I just talked with a nurse in his office for confirmation. She told me he has decided "to not" give fills to patients who had surgery out of the country. His fee is $17,800.00 - but he has only done "6" lapbands locally. To me, that is not enough experience. She asked why I was going out of the country for my surgery. I told her cost and the fact that the surgeon is one of the most experienced. I really need to get a qualified doctor lined up for my after-care before I have this surgery. Most of the doctors in the states are so expensive for after-care. I am self pay and need someone qualified and reasonable. All of this is getting a little stressful for me. My husband is already very unhappy with my decision to have this done. Now, with these after-care issues, I'm getting concerned. I've researched the surgeons in the North Carolina area. From what I understand, most will not fill patients who went out of the country for surgery. This is a real problem!! Help please...Carol Slate

Hey Carol! I do hate you are having troubles with the fills for after your surgery. Are you a "self-pay"? I was just curious if that was the reason you are going to Mexico. To get some better answers you may want to also go to the lapband forum....best of luck to you! Nancy

Nancy - You must have overlooked it in Carols article but she did state that she was self-pay. Donna

I actually work for my surgeon now and you are correct there are only a hand full of docs that will treat after going to mexico. I have a friend that uses a doc in Winston-Salem. Not sure what he charges but if you would like more info please let me know. Do you have insurance? There are a lot more that cover the band now...still have to fight w/ a few but they are getting better. Good Luck!!!

Carol - I really do not know much about the lap band but I do encourage you to please make sure that the care you receive in Mexico will be of the highest quality. Do you know others that has had surgery there and done well since you stated the surgeon is one of the most experienced. Just please be careful in selecting a doctor. Donna

Carol, I feel your pain. We are/were at the same point. I may be self pay. I saw where Mexico lapbands were much less expensive. I went in, talked to my surgeon, he told me that Mexico had the BEST lapband surgeons in the world. And the worst. My surgeon said it wa**** or miss. He also will not fill anyone that went outta the country. But my surgeons lapbands are high too(19600.00). But he has free fills for life. Good luck. I just got spooked about the outta the country thing. I dont have 20K,, but I dont have 10K either. So, Im gonna stay local,,, even if I have to self pay. Stay in touch. I vacation at Ocean Isle sometimes. Steve

Carol, I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz. When I had trouble here in the States. I went to see Dr. Roc Bauman in Concord, NC. He will fill and treat those who were banded outside the US. .... He also removed my band when I had a severe slip and could not make it back to Mexico. He is also the Medical Director of the Bariatric program and Northeast Medical Hospital. I think the world of him and his staff--very compassionate. Good luck! Cyndi